| 释义 |
benignant, a.|bɪˈnɪgnənt|
[A recent formation on benign, or L. benignus, after malignant, which is of much earlier standing, and has a Latin prototype. Not in Johnson; nor in Bailey 1800, though freely used by Burke and Boswell in 1791.]
1. Cherishing or exhibiting kindly feeling towards inferiors or dependants; gracious, benevolent (with some suggestion of condescension or patronage).
a1782Maiden's Wish in Ritson Coll. Eng. Songs I. iv. 20 (T.) Defend my heart, benignant Power. 1791Burke Let. Memb. Nat. Assembly Wks. VI. 45 The king..was..the very reverse of your benignant sovereign. 1859Geo. Eliot A. Bede 2 His glance, instead of being keen, is confiding and benignant. 1875Browning Aristoph. Apol. 119 Theirs would be To prove benignantest of playfellows.
2. transf.
a. Of things: Exerting a good or kindly influence; favourable, beneficial, salutary.
1790Boswell Johnson IV. 314 (T.) As if its [Christianity's] influence on the mind were not benignant. 1798Southey Sonn. xiii. Wks. II. 96 For like a God thou [O Sun] art, and on thy way Of glory sheddest with benignant ray, Beauty, and life, and joyance from above. 1844Mem. Babylonian P'cess II. 183 Our destiny is settled in this world by the benignant or malignant character of our natal star.
b. Of a disease: not malignant or recurrent; = benign a. 5 b.
1897[see siphoned a. 2]. 1932Discovery Dec. 376/2 Similar rays..are given out..by cancerous growths, but not by so-called ‘benignant’ growths. |